Former Villarreal manager Jose Molina announced as head coach of Atletico de Kolkata

Molina during his time at Villarreal

Kolkata, 3 May 2016: The Champions of the inaugural edition of ISL and the Semi-finalists of second edition, Atletico de Kolkata announced today the appointment of Jose Francisco Molina Jimenez as their Head Coach, for the third and upcoming season of the Indian Premier League.

Jose Molina represented his national side Spain at the 1998 World Cup and two European Championships, UEFA Euro 1996 and Euro 2000. Molina's club career was intimately related with Atletico de Madrid, for whom he featured in 189 matches over a period of five years as the goalkeeper.

As a player, Molina went on to win the La Liga and Copa del Rey titles with Atlético de Madrid in their famous 1995-96 season before joining Deportivo La Coruna with whom he once again lifted the Copa del Rey trophy.

“I welcome Jose Molina into our Atletico de Kolkata family. Molina’s experience with leading clubs of Spain and other parts of the world makes him an ideal candidate to take our on-field performance few notches higher in his forthcoming assignment. He will be instrumental in building the team’s strategy for this year and of Kolkata will enrich our players who hail from different parts of India and the world. What impressed me about him is the dedication he has shown coaching grass root level footballers in Bengal. We hope he will bring his skills and knowledge about the game into the formation of the new team for Atletico de Kolkata and help the players in fulfilling their respective roles for the side.”

• Mr. Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman RP- Sanjiv Goenka Group, Co-owner, Atletico de Kolkata

“I am truly excited with my role as an Assistant Coach for the Champion side Atletico de Kolkata. It will be a dream come true to support Antonio Lopez Habas in the quest for the trophy for the second time.”

• Mr. Bastab Roy, Assistant Coach, Atletico de Kolkata.